Incident Overview
During the landing phase at Bu Dop, a C-130 was struck by a recoilless rifle round that exploded near its right wing. The aircraft taxied to the cargo pad and unloaded its cargo of 105 mm artillery ammunition. It then taxied to the end of the runway and attempted a takeoff with three engines, with the right outboard engine feathered.
Sequence of Events
After becoming airborne, the aircraft reached an altitude of approximately 300 feet when the right inboard engine seized. This caused the aircraft to veer into an antitank mine field, where it struck an antitank mine. The explosion blew the aircraft in half at the landing gear. The forward section of the aircraft slid through an antipersonnel minefield and came to rest just inside the camp.
Casualties
According to the report, there were four fatalities on the ground, all Cambodian strike force members of the 5th Special Forces III Mobile Strike Force.
Aircraft Information
The incident involved a C-130 aircraft. No further details on the aircraft's registration, operator, or crew were provided in the source.